Telomere protection and cell aging: how ATM and oxygen affect cell lifespan
Official title: Mechanism of the telomeric proliferation limit
Funded at Rockefeller University · NIH-11381959 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how human cells stop dividing after telomeres shorten, focusing on ATM kinase, TRF2 protection, and how oxygen levels change this aging process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 1999 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $526,260 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG016642-27 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381959 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients or individuals whose cells could be studied to understand telomere biology and aging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with unrelated genetic conditions or non-tibomere-related diseases may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at why human cells stop dividing as they age, by examining telomere protection and the ATM signaling pathway. The team has found that ATM activation at short telomeres contributes to senescence, and that low oxygen (3%) can extend cell life by altering ATM responsiveness. They will further define how ATM is regulated by oxygen and how TRF2-mediated protection affects replicative lifespan. The work uses primary human cells to explore mechanisms that limit cell proliferation and potential ways to modulate aging at the cellular level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding telomere-related aging could lead to strategies that slow cellular aging and improve healthspan.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings indicate ATM and TRF2 influence telomere-driven senescence, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rockefeller University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Lange, Titia — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: De Lange, Titia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.